Fallon in the picture on Mona Lisa

14 April 2012

The Coolmore bandwagon rolls into York tomorrow and can roll out with another big prize when Mona Lisa tackles the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes.

Aidan O'Brien and Kieren Fallon have spent much of the last fortnight trying to establish a pecking order among a large team of possible Derby colts, but Mona Lisa's big race target is the Oaks.

Only time will tell whether she can make her mark at that level, but she plainly has plenty to recommend her for tomorrow's Group Three contest based on her fine effort in the Fillies' Mile at Ascot last September.

Jamie Spencer had the ride that day and was forced to endure a very rough passage from the final bend. In the circumstances Mona Lisa did extremely well to run on for fourth behind Playful Act, and that form sets the standard here.

Of the opposition, Secret History has progressed very well but isn't a certain stayer at this longer trip, while Fuerta Ventura has much more on her plate than when winning a couple of Irish handicaps.

Fallon's old boss Sir Michael Stoute supplies a more interesting rival in the Kempton maiden winner Quickfire, but Mona Lisa is easily forgiven her defeat on dirt in the Breeders' Cup last autumn and can bounce back to form in a race that doesn't look too demanding by Group Three standards.

Nominating the best horse in tomorrow's Duke of York Hearthstead Homes Stakes is straightforward enough.

Somnus is the one in question after a series of cracking efforts in top company last year, but a glance through the overall record of Tim Easterby's gelding suggests that his first run of the season is usually needed.

With that in mind it could pay to look elsewhere for better each-way value, and Patavellian is the one who catches the eye.

Roger Charlton's gelding showed that he can still mix it with the very best by running a cracker for third behind Tante Rose and Somnus in the Haydock Sprint Cup last September.

A recent run on unsuitably fast ground at Newmarket should have blown the cobwebs-away and he can come out best in a tight finish which should also involve his stablemate Striking Ambition as well as Orientor and Royal Millennium.

The other two races covered live on Channel 4 tomorrow are both tricky handicaps featuring plenty of in-form horses.

David Loder's Goodricke looks sure to be popular for the williamhillpoker. com Stakes at 2.00, but he isn't an easy ride and Haunting Memories appeals a likely alternative to continue the purple patch enjoyed by Michael Jarvis.